With a roof mount commercial solar system the panels are attached to a rail system that is secured to the roof via a penetrative or non penetrative approach. With ground mount systems, in most cases, a pole is driven into the ground, sometimes there is concrete involved, and a rail system is attached and the panels affix to it. With floating solar, dedicated pontoons usually constructed of a special UV stabilised plastic are utilised and then a framing system is attached followed by the solar panels. The pontoons are designed in such a way that the weight of the panels is matched with the 'floatability'.
Like many countries around the world, Australia is attempting to decarbonise to net zero emissions by 2050 and their approach is to deliver cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy for Australia and its region by building export-scale clean energy industries. This cleantech approach involves investing in utility-scale solar, BESS, onshore and offshore wind projects to grow the renewable energy supply.
In the renewables industry the SLD usually shows the solar panel component, the inverters, the secondary protection unit and the DNSP'S requirements
A single line diagram is usually created using a CAD program but with the right knowledge, a spreadsheet program such as Excel can be used ( see our training in constructing a solar SLD in Excel).An SLD is not a schematic which is a considerably more detailed drawing.
A megawatt also known as a MW is power, the rating or output and a megawatt hour, also known as a MWh is power x time.Now when we are talking about a large commercial solar project, let's say a 5 MW system, the peak power produced on a perfect summer's day is 5 MW. That's its absolute maximum power output but on a typical day, say in Melbourne, Victoria, the amount of energy produced is 18 MWh's based on an average of 3.6 Peak Sun Hours but, say in summer, the amount would be more like 30 MWh.
To give you an example to enable the NEM to reach its renewable goals nearly 42,000 more electricians alone will be needed over the next seven years. Add to this list electrical engineers, AI experts, plant operators and project managers.According to the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) they need to urge governments and businesses to ensure affected workers can move jobs and retrain, given the unprecedented size and speed of this shift.
The sector is rapidly increasing and the demand for qualified people is on the rise. Probably the best way to start the process is to look at various industry bodies such as the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Smart Energy Council and the Clean Energy Council - Australia. Also doing a search on LinkedIn under renewables will bring up some companies involved in this area.
Clean energy by definition doesn't produce any carbon emissions but doesn't necessarily come completely from renewable energy sources. Renewable energy comes from a source that is ongoing. For example solar from sun, wind, hydro, biogas from biomass. Sustainable is usually associated with renewable energy or derived from resources that meet current demands without jeopardising the energy needs or climate conditions of future generations.
Material shortages play a role as solar panels are predominantly made of silicon. Any changes in mining or supply logistics will affect the rest of the process. Glass production is also an issue and with the advent and demand for bifacial panels this will continue to be a concern.
This software is being used with renewable energy systems world wide. The software gathers energy consumption data, analyses it and then sends useful information directly to the client's device(s).It works in conjunction with production data to provide a complete picture of energy usage for the site(s) in question.
Currently the LCOE for solar is between $29-$92/MWh, average $61/MWh large-scale solar with storage ranges in LCOE from between $60/MWh and $210/MWh. Compare this to black coal at $200/MWh. Source https://www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/energy/GenCost.
A kilowatt also known as kW is power and a kilowatt hour also known as a kWh is power x time. If we look at an average Melbourne, Victorian domestic 5kW system the peak power produced on a perfect summer's day is 5 kW. That's its absolute maximum power output but on a typical day, say in Melbourne, Victoria, the amount of energy produced is 18 kWh based on an average of 3.6 Peak Sun Hours but, say in summer, the amount would be more like 30 kWh.
A hybrid solar system in modern terms incorporates a battery storage component that allows electric loads to be serviced when there is no renewable source, solar, i.e., at nighttime or serves the purpose of providing back up in case of grid failure.
In most cases the consumer deals with an electricity retailer who must offer a minimum feed in tariff for solar that is currently around $0.049/kWh ( 2024).
The other term is Lender's Engineer and effectively it is an independent representative or advocate of the project owner who provides project management and quality assurance support during all stages of the asset lifecycle. They help lay the groundwork of a project and minimise risks, defining the project scope, evaluating budgets, conducting feasibility and site studies, analysing technologies and their suitability to a project, providing permitting assistance and addressing related environmental concerns.
Australia is broken into six states and two territories. The various DNSPS are as follows:Victoria - POWERCOR / CITIPOWER Powercor/Citipower,AUSNET services, Jemena, United EnergySouth Australia - SA Power NetworksNew South Wales - AUSGRID, Essential Energy, Endeavour energyACT - Evo Energy, ACTEWAGLWA - Western PowerNorthern Territory - Power & Water Corp
A Feed in Tariff is an agreed upon financial remuneration that is received or credited on an electricity bill due to any excess wind or commercial solar production that is fed into the grid.
Direct current or DC is one-directional flow of electric charge and typical examples are the output of a solar panel or a battery. We are talking positive and negative.Alternating current or AC periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time and this is the form of energy we receive from the grid.
The best approach is to look at investing in a commercial solar system that will not only offset a certain percentage of a company's emissions but is also a financially sound proposition.With payback periods, a basic financial metric, sometimes in the order of 5 years, a system soon pays for itself.
CAD stands for Computer Assisted Drawing and is a program that allows designers of large commercial solar projects to output various drawings from an electrical SLD ( Single Line Diagram) to trenching schedules, pile placements and cable runs. AutoCAD in many cases seems to be the industry standard. The ability of an EPC to successfully deliver a successful commercial solar project relies largely on the quality and accuracy of the drawings it produces.
Due to the war in Ukraine to avert potential gas shortages, Germany temporarily reopened some recently decommissioned and other soon-to-be decommissioned coal power plants in 2022 and 2023. Effectively this was an emergency management strategy.
DA stands for development approval. For example with a 5 MW solar farm an application may need to be made to the Local Authority for a development permit. The development application provides information about the proposed development to enable the Council to assess the application properly.
Solar farms are classified under AEMO rules as being exempt, non-scheduled or semi scheduled and systems up to 5 MW on the AC side fall into the exempt category and the energy produced is purchased by a local retailer or a customer located at the same connection point. If the system is > 5 mW the project will most likely have to be registered as a semi scheduled generator and this can mean serious curtailment by AEMO if there is any network congestion but if less than 5 MW there is automatic exemption.
Solar developers install larger projects than the average solar installation company, including utility-scale solar, commercial and industrial (C&I) solar, and community solar farms. They have various responsibilities such as looking at suitable land that they can acquire, financing and the EPC side.
The type of electricity that powers homes and businesses.
A strip or bar of metal used to conduct electricity
A system configuration where both solar and battery inverters connect to the AC side of the system.
A switch used to disconnect the AC side of the solar inverter from the electrical system.
The standard for electrical installations in substations
The standard for electrical equipment of industrial machines
Australian and New Zealand standards for grid connection of energy systems via inverters
Standard for low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies
An entity that brings together multiple energy resources to participate in the energy market as a single entity.
A type of thin-film solar cell made of non-crystalline silicon
Services provided to maintain grid stability
A system that stores energy from solar panels for later use
Solar panels that are integrated into the building structure
All the components of a solar power system except the PV panels, such as inverters, mounting, and wiring. Greenwood Energy ensures all BOS components are of the highest quality for reliable system performance.
The percentage of a battery's capacity that can be used before recharging is required. Greenwood Energy provides battery solutions with optimal DoD settings for longevity.
Batteries that store excess electricity generated by solar panels for use when solar generation is low. Greenwood Energy offers integrated battery storage solutions to ensure energy availability around the clock.
A solar technology that uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight to produce thermal energy
A protective tube that runs electrical cables
A device used to connect cables to equipment
A structure used to support insulated cables
A group of capacitors used to regulate voltage levels on the power grid.
The ratio of actual energy produced by a solar system to the maximum possible energy output over a period of time.
The maximum current a breaker can safely carry without tripping
The reduction of solar energy output to maintain grid stability
Compensation paid to renewable energy producers when their output is reduced for grid stability.
The percentage of potential solar generation that is reduced due to grid limitations or overcapacity.
The type of electricity generated by solar panels.
Small-scale energy resources, like solar and batteries, used locally rather than centrally.
The use of natural sunlight to illuminate building interiors
A fee based on the peak electricity demand over a billing cycle
Programmes that manage energy use in response to grid conditions or price signals
When consumers adjust their electricity usage in response to price signals
Techniques used to adjust consumer demand for electricity
Electricity generation from small-scale systems like rooftop solar
A company or contract type responsible for the end-to-end delivery of a solar project. Greenwood Energy provides full EPC services, ensuring seamless project management from design to installation.
A model where customers pay for energy services rather than owning the infrastructure.
A metal rod driven into the ground to provide a safe path for electrical fault currents.
Testing the resistance of the earthing system to ensure safety and effectiveness.
All electrical components excluding the solar panels
Reducing the current-carrying capacity of a cable based on installation conditions
An analysis of potential electrical hazards during installation
A private electricity network that supplies energy to multiple users
Buying electricity when prices are low and selling or using it when prices are high
The total electricity produced by a solar system over a specific period
A policy mechanism that pays solar owners for the electricity they export to the grid. Greenwood Energy helps clients navigate FIT options to maximise returns.
The process of controlling the amount of solar energy fed into the grid to maintain stability.
The rate paid to solar power owners for the electricity they supply back to the grid.
Solar panels installed on bodies of water, like lakes, to reduce evaporation and capture solar energy.
Adjusting power output to maintain the stability of the electrical grid frequency.
A well-known brand of solar inverters
A solar project built on undeveloped land
A device that limits the amount of electricity exported to the grid
The point at which the cost of solar electricity matches or is cheaper than the price of electricity from the grid.
Features of smart inverters that support grid stability
A solar power system connected to the main electricity grid to share generated energy. Greenwood Energy provides grid-connected solar solutions that maximise your savings.
An inverter that can create its own grid signal
An inverter that manages both solar power and battery storage
A solar power system that uses batteries to store excess energy for use when solar production is low. Greenwood Energy's hybrid systems offer reliable energy storage solutions for enhanced energy independence.
A geographic representation that shows the average solar radiation received in different regions.
A device that converts the DC electricity generated by solar panels into AC electricity used by the grid and appliances. Greenwood Energy uses top-tier inverters for reliable performance.
A component used to dissipate heat from an inverter
A condition where a solar power system continues to power a location even when disconnected from the main grid.
A measure of energy production or consumption over time, equivalent to using 1,000 watts for one hour.
The capability of an inverter to remain connected during short dips in voltage
A unit of power equal to 1,000 kilowatts, used for larger solar projects. Greenwood Energy handles both residential kW systems and commercial MW-scale projects.
The central point in an electrical installation where power is distributed to various circuits.
A localised group of energy resources that can disconnect from the main grid and operate independently.
An inverter connected to a single solar panel
The electricity grid system that covers most of Australia
A billing arrangement where solar owners receive credits for the excess energy they export to the grid. Greenwood Energy helps clients set up net metering arrangements for increased financial benefits.
A situation where a system or building produces more energy than it consumes.
Achieving a balance between the energy a system produces and the energy it consumes
A building that produces as much energy as it consumes
The ongoing servicing required to keep a solar power system functioning effectively. Greenwood Energy provides comprehensive O&M services to maintain peak system efficiency.
A solar power system that operates independently of the main electricity grid
The temperature range within which solar panels and inverters operate effectively.
A box that combines the outputs of multiple solar strings before passing the current to the inverter.
The method of connecting solar panels in series or parallel to achieve the desired voltage and current.
Another term for a solar panel
A system that allows users to track the real-time performance of their solar installation. Greenwood Energy provides monitoring solutions to help clients understand and maximise their system's output.
The arrangement of solar racking on a rooftop or ground
The process of testing and validating a PV system to ensure it meets performance standards and safety regulations. Greenwood Energy manages thorough commissioning for all projects.
A situation where shading affects only part of a solar panel or array
The highest electricity usage during a specific time period
The average number of hours per day when sunlight intensity is strong enough to produce significant solar energy.
A metric that indicates how well a solar power system converts sunlight into usable electricity.
Technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using solar cells. Greenwood Energy specialises in installing high-efficiency PV systems tailored to your needs.
An online tool used to estimate solar energy production based on location.
A contract between a solar power provider and an energy buyer for long-term electricity purchasing. Greenwood Energy offers PPA solutions for businesses looking to reduce energy costs.
Electricity that does not do any 'real work' but is essential for maintaining voltage stability in power systems.
A tradable certificate that represents proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable energy resource.
A government policy aimed at increasing the production of energy from renewable sources.
Solar panels installed on the rooftops of residential or commercial buildings to generate electricity. Greenwood Energy instals high-quality rooftop solar PV systems for a variety of needs.
A system used for remote monitoring and control of power generation systems
A schematic representation of an electrical system
An electrical grid that uses digital technology to monitor and manage electricity in an efficient and reliable way.
A device that regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels to the battery to prevent overcharging.
A device used to collect solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy
A large-scale solar power installation where electricity is generated from many solar panels grouped together. Greenwood Energy develops solar farms to help meet Australia's renewable energy targets.
Bright sunlight reflected off solar panels
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